Nikon D5500 Announcement

Along with the exciting Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, Nikon also announced a boring entry-level camera. After skipping the D5400 for no reason (Nikon marketing at its best), the D5500 was revealed at the CES with very similar specs as the D5300, except it gains a touchscreen and drops the GPS module. Same resolution, same processor, same fps, WiFi, same menu and features for the most part, except for slightly different design that resulted in a smaller and lighter camera. It seems like Nikon has no clue what else to add to the D5x00 line to make it more interesting and this release is one of those “announce to announce” series, yet another camera to add to the camera pollution just to keep the line fresh. Instead of doing something innovative (mirrorless design, EVF, focus peaking, electronic shutter, etc), Nikon adds a pointless touchscreen feature and gets rid of the far more important GPS component. With all this, Nikon increases the price of the D5500 by $100, pushing it towards $900 MSRP.

Don’t get me wrong, the D5500 seem like a nice DSLR, but Nikon is only making it worse for its own sales by introducing a camera that most people won’t be able to differentiate from its predecessor. Since the D5300 will stay on the shelves for a while, I can imagine the camera salesman praising the D5300 for its GPS and low price, while telling the customer that the latest and greatest D5500 has no GPS, but gains a touchscreen. Because sadly, that’s the most important difference between the two. And trying to demonstrate a touchscreen on a DSLR that is not meant to be used from a distance like a point and shoot or mirrorless camera, I can see where those sales will be going. Yes, I am being harsh, but the D5500 for me seems like a completely pointless, useless update – something I never thought I would say about the D5x00 series cameras. The good news is, the D5500 will surely push the price of the D5300 further down, making it an even better buy (and the D5300 is an excellent DSLR).

Here is the official press release for the camera, along with the 300mm f/4E VR and the updated 55-200mm DX lenses:

MELVILLE, NY (January 5, 2015) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced its latest DX-format DSLR, the Nikon D5500, a lightweight yet powerful camera that offers a robust feature set, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to capture incredible photos and HD video with ease. An ideal entry-level DSLR for the creative photographer ready to take their storytelling to a new level, the D5500 sports an impressive arsenal of imaging technology, including a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter (OLPF) and a new 3.2-inch Vari-angle touch operation LCD display. All of this and more is packed into a new monocoque design that makes the camera one of Nikon’s lightest and most convenient-to-carry DSLR offerings. Nikon has also expanded its already impressive line of NIKKOR lenses with two new additions, the versatile AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II zoom lens for DX-format shooters and the FX-format AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, a lens with advanced Phase Fresnel optics for lightweight super-telephoto performance.

“Whether capturing an unforgettable sunset or the game winning goal, the Nikon D5500 was designed to foster creativity and provide the tools any budding photographer needs to easily capture and share amazing images and HD video,” said Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “Additionally, the new DX-format 55-200mm and FX-format 300mm f/4 lenses reaffirm Nikon’s steadfast commitment to expanding the NIKKOR lens lineup with versatile additions for both DX and FX-format DSLR shooters.”

Tell a Story with Breathtaking Quality

The Nikon D5500 makes no sacrifices when it comes to image quality, featuring a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor capable of rendering amazingly sharp and tonally-rich images and HD video. The removal of the sensor’s OLPF allows for an impressive level of detail and sharpness from an affordable DSLR, while the addition of the EXPEED 4 image processing engine works to improve overall speed and performance in a variety of shooting situations. When shooting in low-light, D5500 users can also take advantage of an expanded wide-ranging ISO spanning 100-25,600, which makes it easy to capture great images, even when available light is scarce. Alongside Nikon’s impressive arsenal of NIKKOR lenses, the Nikon D5500 is a powerful imaging tool capable of incredible image quality, whether shooting flattering portraits or stunning HD video.

Compact, Portable and Ready to Share

When the perfect moment is ready to be captured, having a camera that is ready to go anywhere is essential. One of Nikon’s smallest-ever DSLR offerings, the Nikon D5500 is compact (4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.) and surprisingly lightweight (14.8 oz.), making it the ideal DSLR for users constantly on-the-go. Ergonomically designed, the camera also features a new monocoque structural skin that increases durability without weighing it down, while allowing the user to securely and comfortably hand-hold.

Nikon Snapbridge describes the experience of quickly and easily sending photos wirelessly from your Wi-Fi®1 enabled Nikon DSLR, Nikon 1 or COOLPIX camera to a compatible smartphone or tablet for times when a great moment is captured and ready to be shared. The D5500 sports built-in Wi-Fi that allows the user to easily share high-quality images with friends. Simply shoot, tag and share great moments with the quality they deserve. Additionally, users can utilize their smart devices to shoot remotely – ensuring that even the photographer doesn’t have to miss out on the next group photo.

Capture and Create with a Touch of Class

The Nikon D5500 also offers the ultimate in DSLR control with an incredibly sharp 3.2-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor, and is Nikon’s first ever DSLR with touch operation, which will help photographers discover new shooting perspectives for both stills and HD video. Intuitively designed for easy menu navigation and intelligent operation, the D5500 allows the user to choose their focus point via Touch AF, pinch in to check focus and even activate the shutter with the touch of a fingertip. Additionally, a new Fn (Function) touch feature gives one-touch access to important settings like AF point selection, aperture, ISO sensitivity, AF area mode and more. The adjustable Vari-angle screen also allows the photographer to capture images and video from exciting new perspectives, easily shooting above the crowd at the dance recital, getting on a toddler’s level to capture their first steps or simply taking a creative selfie. The Nikon D5500 helps the budding photographer easily compose, shoot and review each image or video in high-resolution (1,037k dot), helping preserve the moments that matter most.

Never Miss the Perfect Moment

A versatile yet powerful DSLR, the D5500 is equipped with the latest imaging technology to help tell every story with precision. The camera features a powerful and precise 39-point autofocus (AF) system with 9 cross-type sensors that quickly locks on to even the fastest moving subjects to render beautifully focused images. Whether photographing fast-moving subjects in the championship game or the kids in the backyard, users can select from a variety of advanced focus modes, including 3D Tracking to track a moving subject. Paired with the camera’s 2,016-pixel RGB sensor and Nikon’s Scene Recognition System, the D5500 decisively recognizes and follows each subject in nearly any lighting condition, while continuous shooting up to approximately 5 frames-per-second (fps) makes it possible to capture every fleeting moment.

When the moment is better conveyed through motion, users can also tell their stories with smooth Full HD 1080/60p video with Full-Time AF and stereo sound for a cinema-like experience. The Nikon D5500 also offers a wealth of creative options, including 16 unique Scene Modes that choose the right settings for a variety of common shooting scenarios. Super Vivid, POP and Photo illustration have been added as Effects Modes, and Picture Controls have been enhanced by adding a “Flat” option. These settings now have a 0.25-step adjustment and an expanded “brightness” range to ±1.5 available for photographers who want to completely customize the look and feel of their images and video.

An Affordable Companion Telephoto Lens for DX-Format Shooters

In addition to Nikon’s standard retractable design AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II kit lens, Nikon has now added the ideal companion 3.6x zoom lens to help take DX-format photographers from wide-angle to telephoto with ease. Compact and lightweight, the new retractable design AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II is great for capturing sports, people or school events, and presents an affordable way to get closer to the action. The lens also features three stops of VR image stabilization2 and core NIKKOR technologies including a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that helps ensure quiet and precise AF operation.

Smaller, Lighter, Faster Telephoto

Nikon has also introduced the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, the world’s lightest 300mm full-frame fixed focal length AF lens2, which is nearly 30% shorter and 1.5 lbs. lighter than its predecessor. Extremely easy to handle and built to suit the needs of serious photographers in the field, the new 300mm f/4 lens utilizes Phase Fresnel optical technology to help correct chromatic aberration and reduce the overall size and weight of the lens, making it easy to pack for any assignment. Capable of producing tack-sharp images and beautiful background blur at a distance, Nikon’s newest FX-format lens also features four and a half stops of VR image stabilization3, a VR Sport mode, VR tripod detection as well as several of the latest NIKKOR optical technologies including electromagnetic aperture control, a Silent Wave Motor for quiet AF operation, ED glass for further controlling chromatic aberrations and Nano Crystal Coat for superior image quality.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D5500 will be available in early February, in black and red, in two different kit configurations: alongside the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $999.95 or with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for $1,199.95 SRP. The Nikon D5500 will also be sold body only for an SRP of $899.95. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II and AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lenses will also be available in early February for an SRP of $349.95 and $1,999.95, respectively.

Related articles:

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is a professional photographer based out of Denver, Colorado. He is the author and founder of Photography Life, along with a number of other online resources. Read more about Nasim here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

I always wonder who buys these expensive entry-level cameras? I mean, for the price of a now-old Nikon D5300, I can pretty much grab a Nikon D7000. It may not have all the tidbits of D5300, but performance wise I’d be a winner with D7k over D5xxx or D3xxx any day. Just my opinion.

They’re for people who want to look like they know what they’re doing, but without actually learning; they just want to press a button, and whatever the camera decide to do is good enough. And that is actually the biggest market in photo equipment today.

That’s a bit arrogant, I find… there are many skilled photographers that say these cameras are perfectly capable and so much better than the ones they used in the past. And shouldn’t people that just want to press a button be allowed to get cameras or so?

I fail to see what is arrogant about stating facts. And I never said that people that just want to press a button and get a picture should not be allowed to get a camera. I might question the decision to buy a bulky, interchangeable lens system just to be used as a single lens point&shoot, when an actual point&shoot might serve the same purpose, even better, in a smaller, lighter and cheaper package, but that would have to be on a case by case basis.

This: ‘They’re for people who want to look like they know what they’re doing’…. But discussion like these are pretty futile, personally if a camera isn’t my thing I just skip it, and just focus on what is.

That is out of order! These cameras do have fully auto modes, but then, so do the full frame models costing thousands in some cases. These models also have Av Sv and M modes too, just like the expensive models. The only difference is features, and a missing control dial (just one instead of two) where the settings from that control dial are assigned instead to the Menu system. To assert that everyone buying these models is a point and shoot photographer is akin to trolling. Try one out next time you’re in a camera store!

I am sorry, but I assumed it was understood we were talking in generalities, and it is a fact that the vast majority of people buying these entry level DSLR use them as point&shoot using the kit lens, and never go beyond auto mode. Those that do go beyond generally realize the limitations and so, tend to move up. There are exceptions, but that is what they are, exceptions. As to trying them, I started digital photography on a D50(from shooting film); hated that camera with a passion so I quickly moved up.

I see what you did there…. ok, the D3000x series is ‘the entrly level DSLR’ in the Nikon range, the D5000x is the upper entry level range, and offers a lot more to the discerning photographer. You are assuming owners of such models buy them because they want photographic jewelery hanging from their neck, and have no interest in photos or photography, and never go beyond fully automatic settings, and the 18-55mm kit lens. I have to say, that is one huge assumption :-) Good luck with that – it certainly does not describe a lot of photographers in my local camera club, some are retired with limited money, and have bought such cameras, and continue to use them, to produce some stunning photography. Nasim, on this site, did a review of the D5100 some time ago, it is worth you reading that before you re-post – it is very illuminating.

“and it is a fact” I suspect you cannot support this statement and provide the source for the “fact”, I am actually willing to bet it’s an assumption based on the snobby attitude that plagues just about every photography board in existence.

I spend a lot of time outdoors, my passion is fly fishing and with that I end up in some pretty remarkable places here in Colorado, places that the point and shoot I had just wasn’t capturing, so I moved up to a DSLR. Now when I jumped into fly fishing several years ago I didn’t go for the fly rod I have now, I went for the entry level. I didn’t do it because I wanted to “look like I knew what I was doing”, I did it because at the time I couldn’t justify spending $800 on a stick, as I DIDN’T know what I was doing. In the end, it’s a skill and once it’s developed you either try to enhance it with a different tool or you don’t.

Just like fly fishing or any hobby, I am sure there are a lot of people who have every intention to get into it, but become overwhelmed and become stuck on the auto function. To say it’s the vast majority is ridiculous, no one knows for sure.

I bought a D5300 earlier this year and like most things I take an interest to, I dove in and immersed myself into everything DSLR, of course that includes actually using the D5300. I am impressed to say the least, even with just using the program/auto functions it kicks the crap out of the pictures I was getting with the point and shoot I came from and I have seen some beautiful work from people using it as well. I am at this point realizing MY limitations with the D5300 though, but image quality isn’t one of them. I suspect at some point toward the end of this year I will be buying a D7XXX (hoping the D7200 rumor is true) not to “look like I know what doing” but, because I want the ability to make those quick adjustments and enhance the experience.

Aminul, good point. And if you are really smart about buying cameras, you could be looking at a used full-frame camera like D610 for a few hundred more. Those who need something small should be looking at the Sony A6000 and other mirrorless cameras, which are very compact and offer many more innovative features for much less cost.

My first DSLR was a 5100 when it was quite newly released. Its a fantastic camera and one that has taught me a lot about photography. I had an SLR when I was young – a hand me down from my grand dad. But I was new to the digital world. I think a lot of people go into camera purchases as they would with other digital gadgets – a distrust of second hand and that new is better. If I knew then what I know now I would have probably have bought a second hand D70 or D80 and used the spare cash on glass, then save up for a D300s or D7100. But someone new to the world is lost in the choices available.

I’ve been trying the a6000 out.The fold out screen is too limited compared to 5300 or 5500. With any lens other than the kit, it’s small size/weight starts to lose its advantage. With Metabones you add even more weight to use legacy glass without the advantages such as auto focus. Love focus peaking but it’s only useful for static, manual exposure (e.g. macro). Super FPS is, IMHO, more than is needed most of the time & therefore a marketing tool more than a useful one. Video is great, but the eye sensor causes the LCD to blank out if you try to use it in its articulated position. Lack of full articulation makes video selfies & narration iffy. I’ve got Nixon glass so of course I lean that way but the march to mirrorless has not quite won me over yet. Just my $.02.

The only reason I am not saving up for a full frame is because in case of a theft or robbery, I won’t be able to get another full frame. And I heard it sucks to work with crop sensor after shooting full frame. Plus, I am not making any money so I decided to keep myself within DX.

I have a brain and use, and love, my Nikon. Sony and Canon are NOT better. They are all very capable cameras, with each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Nikon will respond to the A7II, and it will be a great camera.

Hi Nasim, I completely agree, this is a worthless upgrade. Where is their version of a real mirrorless camera? before they are left far too far behind the game with the likes of the Fuji XT and its now pro lenses. With the introduction of Fujis new two pro zooms I can see more people jumping ship from Nikon unless they produce some competition, which will have to be outstanding. Where is the D300 replacement that lots of people are wanting?

Absolutely right about the d300 replacement Michael. This is a wasted effort. To really compete with the Canon range, Nikon should replace the D300 (7100?) with a proper DX top end camera. The entry level 3300 and 5300 are fine entry level cameras. Product development time should go into the other end of the DX range. The argument about potentially undermining the full frame just doesn’t hold up. Full frame is well established now. The 750, 810 and D4s will continue to appeal to as many people. A great DX D300 replacement would attract lots of new Nikon buyers.

The problem is not that the D5500 is a bad camera- it is not. Or that it is an entry level camera – there is obviously a need for cameras like that.

The problem is that it is a pointless “announce to announce camera”. It is evolution – very, very slight evlution (blink and you miss it) not revolution when revolution is clearly needed.

Before the holidays, when I went shopping for Christmas, I looked at the window displays of a store of a big camera store chain here. They had a full window with Olympus, one full with Sony and Fuji. They had a full rack of Leica, for goddness sake. They had two Canon cameras (can’t remember which) a Nikon D3300 and a Nikon 5300. That’s it!

I went into the store to inquire about that because, seriously, Christmas business happening without Canon and Nikon? I was told that market trends had shown the impending demise of the mirror DSLRs, that Nikon was trying to force bad business practices on the (insisting on ordering more point and shoots than necessary, forcing business owners to invest in costly software just to order cameras) and that basically, if you wanted anything other than those two cameras they’d order it from the main storage of the chain but they would certainly not attempt to sell even theses cameras to people.

Granted, this is not the chain of stores where the pros would buy. But it is the kind of store the ordinary folks would buy. Can you see these stores differentiating between the D5300 and the D5500?

Call me paranoid, but with a major chain of camera stores not even trying to sell people theses cameras anymore, for the first time I *really* began to fear that Nikon and Canon won’t make it. The D5500 is not the last nail in the coffin, but it does not help at all!

I agree that Fuji is becoming more attractive, but I am not loving them as an alternative yet. Here is why. No IBIS (and their new pro mid-range flash in lens IS) and an inadequate flash system. Pro photographers are a resourceful bunch, but Fuji’s flash system is a deal breaker for someone like me. They don’t have a proper wireless system (essential for fast, light setups where you don’t want to spend extra time setting up manual/poppers), they lack high speed sync (When I was testing Fuji as an alternative I was shocked that the XT-1 lacked this feature!) and their shutter sync speed is slow. To me this is a fundamental and why I passed on Fuji for Olympus. I can make up for a smaller sensor much easier than I can make up for a poor flash system.

Obviously, much depends on what you photograph and how, but for me, Fuji is not ready for prime time.

Hi Nasim and everyone, I have to both agree and disagree, if you’ll forgive me, as there are many points about the 5000x range which seem lost on the Pro Photographers here. Right off the bat, I would say that it is not the new D5500 which is at fault. (more on that later) I upgraded to the D5200 from the D5100 because there was a leap in resolution from 16 to 24 Mb – and after several reviews, including DXO Mark proving that the D5200 was delivering the best image quality of ANY crop sensor camera at that point. The D7100 was on my ‘mabye’ list, but when I saw I could achieve that level of image quality there was no contest. The big issue Pro Photographers level at the 5000x range is that they are largely menu driven, and slow you down when making adjustments. While this is true to some extent, at the beginning of the relationship with the camera, after very little time, that becomes much less so, with intimate knowledge of where to find the controls, and the ability to make any changes much more quickly than any reviewer, unfamiliar with the camera, was able to do. There are other merits too, the body is lighter and more compact for travelling (both in terms of transporting, and discretion when in unfamiliar territory) and should the worst happen, they are cheaper to replace. Going back to my original comment then, after using my D5200 for a year or so, I was ready to take on an upgrade, or at least consider one, depending upon mosty, the image quality, but also the feature set. When the D5300 came along, I looked at it, but was really disappointed to find no meaningful upgrade to my D5200. Certainly no image quality improvement, in fact, the D5300 scored one point LESS than my D5200 in the DXO Mark test! For this reason, I stuck to my D5200 and love using it, all the time. Today I got an email from Nikon announcing the D5500, and I was very excited to get onto the website to check the tech specs. Imagine my disappointment when I found that the focussing system, and the image quality, and most of the rest of it, are the same camera as my D5200. The only ‘upgrade’ I can see, is that the LCD flip out screen IS now a touchscreen. Nothing else interests me. The D5500 is the camera that the D5300 should have been – so, when I say there is nothing wrong with the D5500, that much is true. Nikon went badly wrong in launching the D5300 in my view, as they changed the sensor (but not the resolution) and got slightly inferior image quality while adding gps and wi-fi. It seems the D5500 is the same thing as the D5300 in the area that counts – image quality! This means, to me anyway, that the D5100 upgrade to the 24 Mp D5200 was a very meaningful upgrade, it brought superior image quality over the then flagship cropped sensor D7000’s 16 Mp, and it added 39 point autofocus which was derived from the D7000 anyway. After purchasing it, Nikon announced the D7100 and it did not beat the D5200 on image quality. I attended, as a guest, a family wedding four months ago. The Pro Photographer was shooting a D7100 and took hundreds of shots. I sent my shots to the family, and over Christmas, the bride told me that the images I took were vastly better than most of the professional images – which is no surprise, the D5200 is a fantastic camera! So in conclusion, since the very important and meaningful upgrade which heralded in the D5200, Nikon have not added value to the range in either of the two newer models, the D5300 or the D5500. I await the next model with interest. All of that said, please remember that those of us who are NOT pro photographers, but yet wish to shoot our images to produce the best image quality, while being on a budged, do adore the D5000x range – it makes it possible to do this, and, due to the lower cost, it enables us to spend more on getting the lens we want (and need) to make the best of the body. If I had bought the D7100 and found myself stuck with the 18-55mm lens because of the higher cost of the body, I would have been an idiot. We are still in a global recession, and not everyone is a Pro Photographer, some of us are nothing more than keen amatuers who want to get ‘that’ shot, and frame it on the lounge wall for friends and family to see!

I therefore come to the closing point – let us not deride Nikon for trying to develop the less costly end of the DSLR body market – they did a great job with the D5100 to D5200 upgrade, and I hope to see something similar come alone again, in time!

Well put. I own and have owned several cameras and sometimes I even prefer the ones that are menu driven, like the Nikon 1V1. Simply because, well that’s what it is: simple, with no clutter on the outside, so nice and small, and still with quick access to change settings.

Hi Believing you can take pics with the same level of quality as a D7100 with a D5200 is maybe true for still pictures, but when there is motion such as taking action photography such as sport or animal shooting, your D5200 is not in the game such as my D7000 with its 39 focus points. The main reason I updated for the D7100 from my D90, and D7000 was for its 51 points AF derived from the D4, that can focus with an F8 lens. That was 18 months ago, and I never regretted it, and I have not taken a single shot from that date with my other 2 cameras., Instead of putting gadgets on their camers Nikon should give them good AF thats the main feature with good dynamic and low noise that are the most important features for most of us. Results from DXOMARKS.com are important but its not all in a camera, if it was the case Canon would be closed and Sony would be number one with Pentax. regards

In most situations, you CAN take pics with the same level of quality, of that I have NO doubt. I have borrowed a D7100 for two weeks fairly recently, and I have compared the RAW images for a given lens, and to me it is indiscernable to find any difference, but DXO did conclude a marginal preference on the D5200, so let’s no get into semantics please! I made the point, very correctly, that all you get with a higher camera is more features. Call me old fashioned if you will, but a camera is for taking stills primarily – if you love your D7100 that is great, no problems with pride of ownership – but be aware that it is the FEATURES which differ between your camera and my own, and it is NOT the image quality – and that is a concrete fact. (among the ‘features’ are the extra focus points, faster fps for action shooting, and a second control dial – none of which have any impact on image quality per se – but can make it easier to capture particular shots, I guess, in particular circumstances – but I have to say, the tilting lcd screen on the rear of my camera was one of my must-haves for macro work – you don’t have one of those do you?) I hope I manage to struggle along with my 39 autofocus points in the D5200, I really don’t know what Nikon were thinking of, limiting me like that! :-)

My 0.02$ comment: I don’t mind if you think a D5200 is as good as a D7100 in pic quality. You mentionned that I probably have pride of ownership, let me say that its for me of absolutely no importance, but having to purchase 3 cameras (D90,D7000,D7100) in the pass 5 years to finally find only one that could focus with precision most of the time under any kind of lightning and situation is. I see posted so many pics that are slightly out of focus, that I had to talk about it. I have no intention to buy another DX camera, the D7100 is a joy to use, and I think the APS-C sensor technology is at its limit with this camera, if you do not take into account the Fuji technology. The buffer is not that great but with a very good SD card such as the Lexar 64 gigs SDXC I 600 X speed its giving me enough speed to take shots in bursts. I can understand the owners of the D300s that would like to have 8 shots in continuous mode. My next move will have to be the FX format and I will surely not buy a camera equipped with an old AF system, whatever fantastic its sensor is. So no Df or 610 camera for me, maybe a D750 or D810. regards

If you have the need, the D750 looks fantastic. I reckon the D810 for me would be too heavy to lug around on long walks. Getting back to the image quality issue (the ONLY point I was making, really) DXO Mark have the most exhaustive tests in the known universe, and for this reason many publications use their test results as a basis for a review. That said, using their camera comparisson feature, the scores between the D7100 and D5200 are close, with the D5200 nudging out a marginal lead. In lab testing it plays like this (note the result for D7100 is given first, the D5200 second, for each category) :- Overall Score 83 84 Portrait (colour depth) 24.2 bits 24.2 bits Landscape (dynamic range) 13.7 Evs 13.9 Evs Sports (Low-Light ISO) 1256 ISO 1284 ISO

This confirms my findings with the borrowed D7100 – the images were indistinguishable, despite DXO showing a VERY slight superiority in the D5200. If you leave image quality out of the equation, then, you probablly will (or should) find the D7100 in the hands of a good photographer, is a better (to use) experience, but this should not deter people on a lower budget from going for the 5000x range – it simply means doing a lot more research (if it is a beginner we are talking about) and learning the camera, where the controls are, and what they are for. I am certainly not complaining about the 39 focus points on the D5200, and I rarely get an out of focus issue with them. That said, like many photographers, I evolved to single point focus mode for a time, and from there, I moved to the ‘backfocus’ method, allowing me to prefocus on a point, and then compose the shot knowing the focus won’t shift away from the subject. In sports, this method is used, for example, at a race track, where cars follow a predictable path, and pre-focus is done on that point, releasing the shutter a fraction before the car gets there. Of course, the D5200 has a 5 frame per second mode too, with continuous 39 point autofocus, so as long as you hit the subject in the focusing stage, before release, it is very effective at keeping focus as long as you pan the camera and keep the subject in the frame (as with any camera). This is the SAME autofocus system that was used on the D7000 which, a few years ago, people were declaring as a brilliant camera, the best thing since sliced bread, etc. Manos was right in that the new D5500 is a wasted opportunity by Nikon, and I agreed with that right at the start. However, people are not going to the camera store to buy a model that came out two or three years ago, so you can see, from the marketing point of view, that Nikon have to do this, in order to keep revenue coming in. If they depended on the thousands of pro DSLR’s they sell for their survival, they would be bankrupt by next Christmas. They DO depend on the many millions of ‘prosumer’ cameras they sell, in order to generate the money to survive, and, develop the higher end models, let’s not forget that. All that said, I really hope the next D5000x model is a milestone rather than an innovation. I changed from D5100 to D5200 for more focus points (like you did) and for the higher resolution. You can keep the rest, nice as it is to have :-)

Not everybody are in agreement with DXo rating. For instance rating the new Canon 7D MKII with the same rating as the old Nikon D300 is weird. Their rating is based on three measures and one of them beeing color depth that is not for many an issue with the cameras that are sold on the market today. While noise level is a major issue, and the new canon beats hands-down the D300s. Dynamic range at low iso is behind the Nikon cameras, by close to two stops, but this camera was never manufactured to do landscape photography, it is specialized to do primary animal and sport shootings, and DXO doesn’t take this into account when rating it. Does the poor DXO rating has an effect on canon’s sales of this camera, from what I hear, they don’t. Anyway I like DXo products, having bought and using their 3 products (DXO Viewpoint 2.5, DXO Pro 10, Filmpak 5), for over four years back to V6. Like you I read their tests, and you have to read from their own comments that sensor rating while important is just a measure of the raw files, of a camera, it doesn’t take into account all of what makes a camera great or poor.

Hi Luc, a very measured response, and just as sensible, thank you. I have been misunderstood by several responders. My comments re: Image quality have been taken as ‘camera bashing’ of the D7100, ‘self depracation’ of wedding images I have taken, and all kinds of unrelated side issues which were never intended to be dragged into the ‘debate’. I was simply saying that the image quality of the D5200 matches, nay, surpasses that of ‘every other DSLR Crop Sensor’ ever tested by DXO. This is music to the ears of the photographer ‘on a budget’ as it puts a camera with a quality image into the hands of millions more who would otherwise have to compromise on IMAGE QUALITY. No one is debating that the D5200 is a perfect camera, you spend more and you get a more robust camera, with a brighter viewfinder, more focus points, and easier controls, plus longer battery life and the ability to use OLD lenses with autofocus. All of that is taken onboard, and was, before I typed the first letter of the first posting on this topic! absolutely! It still leaves us with a budget camera, which, in the hands of an experienced user, will yeild images at least as good as models costing 2x more, which is fantastic! Manos was both right and wrong, as I said right from the start, because, for Nikon to eventually evolve another groundbreaking budget DSLR, they have to keep revenue flowing for R&D and product development reasons. This is why the D5500 is both necessary, in the lineup, and why, from our point of view, it is a totally meaningless camera, from an upgrade perspective. DXO tests may not be perfect in the eyes of many – but they do provide the basis of many magazine reviews (from the lab perspective) and are there to be interpreted as you see fit. They are certainly thorough and detailed, that much is for sure. How do you get on with ‘Filmpack’ I tried it and couldn’t quite get my head around it? Best, Ross

As you know, Filmpak is a package to simulate the way film cameras were reproducing noise, color, grain and dynamic (poorer than Digital). Old folks like me who spent their youth with films such as Kodachrome 25, 64, Velvia, Provia, Kodak Tri-X, etc. have difficulty to accept to have lost the way pics use to look. Different films have a different way to shift (increase saturation and intensity) colors such as reds or greens or yellows for instance. So far I am very happy to use it in pics where I want to show a certain mood. DXO has done a very good job, in simulating acurately a large amount of films. I have not been able at this stage to justify my upgrade from filmpak 3 to filmpak 5 (49$) regards

You presume too much Luc :) I am in the same club as you, at least, when it comes to age. I have been an extensive user of C41, Vellachrome, kodachrome, and for a year or so, I used so shoot ectachrome and develop it myself, and mount my own slides (which was great fun). So, I can remember Buddy Holly too! (although being British maybe I should mention The Beatles, Cilla Black, The Stones (still in business) and even Tommy Steele :-). I susbscribe to a photo magazine which, last month, included a free, full version of Filmpak 3. While I am fanatically keen on Optics Pro, and use it all the time, I could not take to Filmpak, the results I was seeing disappointed me. Taking Kodachrome 25 asa as an example, the punchiest, most colorful film ever made, in most peoples view, when I used the Filmpak filter on my images, for that look, the images never did quite get that ‘bite’ of sharpness, colour in particular, or contrast (which is kind of associated with sharpness too). Mabye I have been post-processing too long now, and prefer to fine-tune images for particular effects.How many versions of Filmpak have you tried, what improvements have they made over the versions? Thanks, Ross

Hi Ross Like Tom said about Clearview you have to gain experience with it before rejecting it. I have only experience with v3 and v5. I changed lately my mind about V 5, its definitely easier to use than v 3 and better.Have you printed with it ? that is where you see the difference . Glad to see that I am not the only guy here who was born during the Beatles era……ha..ha.ha…. regards

) AutofocusRoss

January 13, 2015 at 9:23 am

Hi Luc, I wasn’t talking about Clearview, I am not lucky enough to have it yet, it does look very good, especially for landscape work, which is one of my two main passions (macro being the other). It was Filmpak i was talking about, sorry if I mis-posted and mis-informed. I am still running version 9 of DXO Optics Pro, which doesnt feature Clearview – I need to update my computer as version 10 won’t run on my present pc. Sorry again :-) Ross

) Luc Poirier

January 13, 2015 at 4:03 pm

Hi Ross I was also talking about Filmpak, just making an comparing failure or success using clearview in DXo V10. It takes time and experience to get the results you want with Filmpak or Clearview. My first experience were not that great with filmpak

It is almost sad that you think that bride preferred your shots over her ‘pro’ photographer because of the image sensor/quality of your camera. Dude, you’re the one to thank, not the camera. Your shots are better/she liked your shots and you jumped into thanking your camera and bashing D7100 for being inferior is unfair to begin with.

I think you have totally misunderstood me, maybe deliberately. I did not ‘bash’ the D7100 – I praised the D5200, and of course, if you put the D7100 into the hands of an idiot, and give a decent photographer a D5200, theres no surprise as to which of them is going to bring the good photos home!

Exactly. Now apply that logic to your earlier comment and you’ll see (nah, probably not) that you did praise the camera, not the photographer; sounding like ‘I had the D5200 and the pro photographer had D7100 but look which camera got the better pictures!’

whew! you are determined, I will give you that! It is this simple: If a camera produced better shots than a paid professional using a different camera, and at a wedding where he has more access anyway – it proves that you dont NEED the professionals camera to take those shots. Do you KNOW the D5200 or are you posting a little impulsively, I mean no offence, but really, I write from personal, and long term experience of the camera, and also with knowledge of the reviews that have applauded the image quality it produces, thats it! (and I have used a D7100 for a few weeks, so I know what it can do, with the same lens etc)

“You don’t need professional/better gear to take better images.” It’s been around for decades. There’s nothing new about that. Only amateurs find that hard to believe. And I don’t think you’re an amateur. That’s why my original comment was that it was sad that you said,

“the bride told me that the images I took were vastly better than most of the professional images – which is no surprise, the D5200 is a fantastic camera”

Do you know what that impression gives? It gives the impression that hey I got a better (which one of these cameras is better is topic for another post) camera, so no surprise I’ve got the better images. And that’s what my comment was toward.

And lastly, if it makes you any comfortable, I shoot a Nikon D3100. Yes, the lowest-priced camera from Nikon, and while I’ve been tempted to buy D7000 or D7100, I haven’t because i) I need to get better lenses and ii) there are security issues so like you said D3100 is a cheaper body to replace. (I might need to upgrade to D5100 though because the LCD on D3100 is just bad)

So yeah, I’m not posting impulsively. I read your comment and the first reaction I had is “whoa this guy is giving all credits to his camera and not the person that took the pictures”, which in this case interestingly is yourself.

I have 3200 and had the 3000 I take great pictures but took better with the 3000. Had a much brighter view finder. And the diopter set for eyes was easier to set as well. As for the LCD it is toss up. LCD/or LED for that matter is not easy to see in bright light and (if you have to resort to some type of tenting device that doesn’t make it fun to take pictures.

Ross, don’t get me wrong, I love the D5x00 series cameras! In fact, I just came back from DC and my nephew owns a D5300, which I helped him configure and understand. As he shot with the camera, it reminded me once again how great the camera is. Amazing image quality, superb set of features – an all around great camera. But that’s not what I am complaining about. Just like you have seen before, Nikon should have added more features to make the D5500 worthy of carrying a new model name. As of now, excluding GPS, adding touchscreen and slapping $100 of price increase just do not do justice and confuses potential buyers even more…

After reading your article and many of the back-and-forth comments, and the D5500 having been out long enough for my personal set of “go-to” online reviews to reveal their hands-on and lab test results, I offer you these little pearls of wisdom…

I am an artist, musician, photographer, and so on, but at the heart of all of that, I’m a TECHIE to the core, and judging from your article, most likely much more than you, at least from the standpoint of understanding how ALL tech markets work in general: The top of the line is ALWAYS overpriced, and this my friend IS the top of the line Nikon APS-C DSLR image sensor for the time being (knowing full well the D7200 is now out and after DxO, etc. post there tests will affect this statement). Why? It tests 100 ISO higher than the camera it replaces and roughly 50 over the D3300, with basically the same dynamic range and color. That alone, being the top DX low-light performer (seen also in real world tests) will cause this camera to carry a higher price tag than it admittedly should. Think about PC processors for a moment. As a computer builder I’ve seen time and time again the top performing processor of a line may only be marginally faster than the next lower one, but fetch a much heftier price tag, while the difference between 2nd and 3rd place makes more sense when comparing price vs. performance. To me, that 100 ISO boost is (almost) worth the $100 alone, simply because I don’t have the low light performance I want from my D5300, and the more I can get, the better. And seeing comparisons at 12800 of the two cameras, I’m envious of even the slight improvement.

As far as your criticisms of Nikon’s marketing decisions, you couldn’t be more off base. It totally warrants a new model number, that cannot be argued, it has many improvements as well as notable new features, although I fully agree skipping the D5400 iteration is completely absurd, but we’ll blame Microsoft 10 for that, LOL. The GPS, whether missed or not, did not belong on this series anyway, it belongs in the 7x00s, period. The price point and target audience of the 5×00 series doesn’t necessarily demand such a feature… yet… when other things, like touch screen, that improve ergonomics and ease of use, are more indicative of a feature set found in this level of DSLR. But all that aside, the reason you are off base warrants another comparison. Take for example bookshelf stereo systems. Every now and then they come out with a new model with new features and a new look, however significant or slight they may be, and hopefully not adding anything detrimental to previous model (I’m seeing the lack of GPS and the HDMI port in the way of the handgrip as the only two things worse than the D5300 …so far). But you will have much more difficulty finding countless blogs, reviews, videos, forum threads, etc. regarding the “senseless” and “boring” release of a new bookshelf stereo model, simply because digital photography has SO many groupies (like myself) waiting, wanting, wishing, and so on, that many other less exciting electronics products lack. The new model bookshelf stereo is poised for the new buyer, someone who’s old unit broke, someone with very outdated technology, or just someone with money to burn who has to have the latest version of everything. The EXACT same thing holds true for Nikon cameras, they are NEVER meant to replace the model before it if you already own that one. It’s rare when a new tech breakthrough happens and we get to drool over a new release, such as when a much improved sensor is developed (not referring to more megapixels either), an upgraded focus system is handed down from a higher model, or the processing engine goes from sluggish to smooth (I’m so glad I held out on the D5200 for the D5300 for that very reason, as well as many others). But you do have to realize, that adding touchscreen capability to a DSLR is HUGE for Nikon, because it shows they are starting to pay attention and play catch up with Canon in terms of usability and workflow. I really didn’t expect Nikon’s first attempt at this to be very successful, but I’ve watched it in action and for me, just having the ability to select focus points in viewfinder mode without the D-pad and pinch zoom shots to quickly check focus is an enormous time saver that can mean the difference between getting the shot or not.

After seeing numerous demonstrations of the new improvements that come with the D5500, if I was about to buy a DSLR now instead of last summer when I needed to, there is no way I’d pass on it for the D5300 just to get a lower price tag and battery hogging GPS. Now, that’s coming from a full-on hardware geek with a background in CG and professional videography, has used Photoshop since version 2.5, and would own and fully utilize a D8100 if I could afford to. Nevertheless, I believe the improvements can also be justified by the more “consumer” as opposed to just “prosumer” buyer market, and when potential buyers surf the web and find themselves on pages like this one, they can turned away by negative comments and opinions of someone who had merely read a product announcement. I could just as easily say the 300mm lens is far more boring… it doesn’t even zoom! =p

Ok, having got that out of my system, I believe firmly that Nikon should completely drop the D3x00 line (no bracketing and inferior focusing means pointless to get a DSLR imo) and focus on the D5x00 and D7x00 lines (nope, no D9x00 either). Keep the $900 price tag on the lower model but include the D7200’s expanded bracketing, FP flash mode, second SD slot, headphone jack, and larger buffer. This stuff is easy and cheap to include and $900 is still a hell of a lot of money for a camera body when you really stop and think about it when compared to the modern features and quality of consumer level cameras. Leave out the focus motor, weather/shock proofing, and GPS. For the D7x00s, include an articulating touchscreen (ignoring the haters) while maintaining weatherproofing, even bigger buffer (than the D7200), and GPS, and keep it the same price also, or just slightly higher. If and when there’s some real dedicated pro glass to choose from for Nikon DX format, sure, put out a 3rd D9x00 tier, but I personally would opt to jump to FX before spending that kind of money on DX.

Yes hello, that’s the whole point of touch screens! For superior live view focusing and touch shutter! “DSLR are not meant to be used that way.” Are you for real? The DSLR is emerging as a multi-use tool. Are you someone who has to check on forums and seek “experts” opinions for how something is “meant to be used”? Man the internet brings out the worst in attitudes! If the camera has a feature, then of course it’s “meant to be used that way”! Assuming the feature works as advertised, it’s great to have access to these new hybrid cameras. For photographers that is, reviewers can write all the opinions based on non-usage theories; photographers will appreciate this new excellent feature!

I agree with your point of view. Sometimes announcing something for the sake of announcing is counter-productive at its best.

One thing I’d like to confirm though, what about the Expeed4 processor…. Does it mean that D5500 is as good as D4S in low light, with clean ISO? Forgive my ignorance, my guess the answer would be no, but am keen to confirm this.

Most important thing in producing clean high-ISO picture is well performing sensor – which is (probably) the same as in D5300 (maybe – with minor upgrades). So noise level is going to be similar as in predecessor. Development of APS-C sensors isn’t really fast (as You can compare all 24 Mpx Nikon APS-C cameras since D3200). Also – they are capable of taking almost clean ISO 1600 pictures.

OFC image processor is also important – but look at high-ISO performance of D3200 and D4 (which, as Nikon claims uses other versions of same processor), or D300 and D3 (which uses same Expeed unit), and then You could find out, that thing that really matters is size of sensor.

Hi Nasim, I need some advice. I’m an amateur photographer and I got a D3100. I want to move to an advance model ( but not to a full frame). I’d have been considering the D5300, but some friends told me about D7100. Your comment will be fully appreciated.

Actually it’s 51 focus points. 39 is what the D5xxx series and D600/D610 have.

What you should get (or not) depends entirely on your practice of photography, it’s impossible to give an appropriate answer based only on which DSLR you already own.

The D5200, D5300 and now probably the D5500 are all very capable cameras, the D7000 and D7100 are awesome too. All of them give more “readily available” controls than the D3xxx cameras (more so for the D7K line), but whether you need another piece of equipment or not depends on a lot of parameters.

I agree with Pierre, I have to restrain my self from buying new stuff! Personally, unless you really need faster AF- wildlife/sport, I would probably invest in better glass and flash units. You will notice a jump in quality more then a new camera would give you. As to WIFI, I don’t really need or want it personally so not sure i can advise that much on that.

I love my d5100 and I don’t miss many of the higher camera features except for better AF for wildlife and flash controlling for portraits. I have often been confused by this model though. As the only flip screen camera (ignoring 750) I’d assume they are intending for the 5000,series to be their main video camera. But they have missed many of the features videographers would need/want. So is the new 7200 going to be that role with a 750 style screen? I personally think they should merge the 5000 and 7000 series into one camera and bring in a pro dx range above.

A little too much editorializing Nasim. I respect your camera and related equipment knowledge, but I have a well-stocked larder of personal tastes regarding advertizing and marketing strategy thank you…

I tend to agree with the general sentiment that this is a poor announcement. What is the point when you introduce new models that don’t make meaningful improvements in focus / image quality. It might be different if the predecessor was not usable in terms of interface, but that clearly isn’t the case. This brings me to the real point here. Yesterday Fuji announced a mid-range zoom without image stabilization. To me, at this point, it would be a deal breaker if I had that camera system. I simply would look for an alternative. Camera manufacturers are doing that all the time! I find Nikon and Fuji (again, I don’t use Fuji, so no horse in the game) particularly egregious. What is their strategy? Here are a few of examples (I can point to many)

1. Nikon refusing to introduce a D300 replacement despite large demand / outcry. 2. Nikon not filling in some less expensive options for long primes (Nikon did update their 300 F4, yay!) For example, no 400mm F5.6 and taking a decade to update their original crappy 80-400. 3. Fuji not implementing an up to date capable flash system, limiting the appeal of their entire line. 4. Lack of IBIS in cameras. After seeing how the Olympus IBIS works, any suggestion that lens based IBIS is better seems pure nonsense. Clearly Nikon (and Canon…) want to charge over and over for IS for no good end except their pocketbook.

From my perspective as a Nikon / Olympus shooter, Nikon is a company particularly out of touch. I am not switching from Nikon, but Canon has historically had more available wildlife lenses at more price points. I know this is nitpicking a little because Nikon does have a broad range of lenses, but it seems they lose customers to Canon (or keep Canon shooters from switching) by not completing their line. I know Canon wildlife shooters that would switch instantly if Nikon offered a 400mm F5.6. Years ago, Canon users stayed with Canon because of the 100-400mm IS which was vastly better than Nikon’s “equivalent” offering. Nikon did finally introduce an improved 80-400 in 2013. Canon also beat Nikon by a mile in getting a lighter 400mm F4. To be fair, Nikon is catching up by introducing their own light 400mm F4 (and now an updated 300mm F4 that sounds awesome!) Regardless, I wish Nikon would stop giving excuses for people not to want to purchase their products and/or stick with them.

It seems like Olympus is on the right track with so much of this right now. They provide IBIS and are busily filling in their line of lenses so they have something available for everyone. While no vendor is perfect, they seem to have a rational strategy that doesn’t alienate their customers by leaving big holes.

Seems kind of harsh or coming from a point of built up frustration with “the way things are.”

The touchscreen interface is long overdue and deserves more than a passing noting as a feature. The main difference between the 2007 iPhone and Blackberries/Treos of the day was the touchscreen interface. It takes a huge amount of surface area, and gives it function. I dread Nikon will consider this a consumer thing and fail to trickle it up to the advanced bodies.

The body is by all hands-on reports thus far, significantly improved. Both smaller, lighter AND easier to hold. Battery life is significantly extended – partially by removing GPS which is a true bummer, but also by putting a proximity sensor on it to disable the LCD.

Regarding incremental upgrading. One can turn this argument upside-down. If we treated consumer-level lines like pro lines and waited 3-4 years between models, how far has the D5500 come since the D5100? Would you want to deprive the D5300, D5200 consumers of Wifi, GPS (erp! i take that back), removing the AA filter, improved noise reduction, improved viewfinder, faster FPS, weight reductions, size reductions greater MP, better handling etc. The critics would be howling at how many missed opportunities they were leaving on the table each year.

Yes, it would make for a bigger Oooooh factor when upgrading from the D5100 to the D5500 and calling that the one significant upgrade. But I get it. I don’t criticize it. No one is forcing people to buy every model generation. Iteration is good.

Also, be careful with “for no reason” with regards to the model number. 4 is unlucky in asian culture. I can’t explain the D4 ;-) but still, it is a pretty well known thing.

By all means, I will always appreciate this site, and perhaps you’re aiming for the pro crowd, but there are many thousands more who want the latest greatest consumer thing, each year, and that finances things like the D7400 (;-P)

Tom, please see my earlier comment. I love the D5x00 line and I am not criticizing smaller APS-C cameras by any means. I just believe that the D5500 does not deserve a new model name, considering that it has almost nothing new to offer. If GPS was eating up the battery, there is an option to turn it off, so battery drain should not be an issue. Touchscreen is practically useless on a DSLR, because aside from viewing images, you cannot really do anything else, like press on a part of the screen to take a picture or engage focus – you would have to turn live view on and keep it running. And when you do take a picture in live view, it is not like you can engage electronic shutter and silently take pictures – DSLRs usually lower the mirror, take a picture and bring it back up for live view. It is a hassle and a true PITA when compared to a mirrorless camera. Plus, a DSLR is meant to be used with the viewfinder, not in live view mode like a point and shoot.

I am not recommending to wait for 3-4 years between models, but if you are introducing something new, at least make efforts to fully transition to newer models and make them more exciting. As of now, I don’t even know how many entry-level Nikon DSLRs are being sold – I lost track. People get really confused about what to buy, which only harms DLSR sales in the long run…

In regards to skipping the 4 because it is a bad number in Asian culture, you already mentioned the D4, but there are many more: D4s, D40, D40x and plenty of point and shoot cameras with number 4 in them. It does not make any sense to skip that number, at least based on history.

Reviewers and users have been complaining about the lack of touchscreens for some time now. I do not believe it is “practically useless” when they have implemented a way to use it to move the focus point around when your eye is at the OVF (or set aperture or ISO, etc). While that may not be much different than using the 4 way pad, it might be faster. We’ll have to see. I think you overlook the all important “user experience” of a touch screen. Menu diving is always a complaint and a touch screen should make this not only easier, but more intuitive and, therefore, enhance “user experience.” Additionally, I think it will appeal to videographers using that great articulated screen, allowing them to set a focus point in videos much more quickly and, again, intuitively. Moving a small square around a screen with the 4 way pad is, well, a pain, IMHO, compared to just touching the face or the thing you want to focus on. Even the much loved Sony a6000 cannot do this and its flexible screen is not nearly as useful as a fully articulated one is. Yes, the D5300 also has this screen. But it lacks touch, so getting the focus set on it is, as with all of these cameras, less than useful, IMHO. I think that alone, i.e. the touch to focus aspect of video will make video much more attractive to us still shooters. Is it worth the extra $200? That is the question. Besides, they gotta show some progress, especially since their mirrorless entries are not doing so well.

Thanks for responding Nasim, I take your points on model numbering & the stupid price bump. As Doug points out touch can be helpful especially for video, and playback is nothing to sneeze at. How much time do we spend in menus when we get a new camera? Without having all the buttons of a pro body, how much time does a D5xxx user spend in menus? Any improvement here is huge.

I look longer down the road and expect that this grade of camera will probably become mirrorless too. It’s just an attitude shift which has me preferring getting a touchscreen interface in 2015 and mirrorless in 20xx vs. nothing in 2015 and both in 20xx. There’s also something to be learned from putting the feature out there for review and feedback.

But to your points, for a large model-number jump, where are the big advances? On-sensor AF? Full-featured WiFi tethering? Hmph.

Hi Nasim, I did a post on the forum but I don’t think many people hang out there yet. This is a pressing issue for me since I have 1 day left to make my decision regarding D5300 and D810. Here is the link to my post: photographylife.com/discu…o-for-d810 I would appreciate your opinion!

PLEASE USE A CAMERA FOR A WHILE WITH A TOUCH SCREEN AND THEN RE-WRITE YOUR REVIEW!

Sorry for “shouting” but I, like you, used to laugh at touch screens until I used one! It is the touch focus and touch shutter that is so liberating, creative and time saving! Eventually all cameras will have this feature, and people will look back at the day that we didn’t have it the way that people will wonder how cars used to be sold without rear window defrosters. (When it was invented it was only in high end luxury cars or as an expensive option in consumer cars, until people figured out how great they are. Initially people had no desire to pay extra money for something that they never used, or understood how great it is.)

From a marketing point of view, lack of touch screen is a very common complaint that people have about the Sony a7 series cameras. It’s also a very common thing talked about on Canon forums (who have touch screens on many models). The Canon T5i is such a camera and a direct competitor to the Nikon D5300 and (soon to be available) D5500. Until recently, if you want an APSc camera with both an optical view finder and live view recording the obvious choices are between Nikon D5300 with better dynamic range,more mp and the no AA filter look and sharpness, but no touch screen, or a Canon T5i with touch screen, touch focus and touch shutter, but lower sensor IQ.

Kudos to Nikon for upping their game! The days of having to pick between one feature at the expense of another is very annoying, and hopefully this is the start of a more feature packed camera trend!

Nasim, with all due respect, you are embarrassing yourself as a reviewer to comment on a feature that you obviously have never used!

Comment Policy: Although our team at Photography Life encourages all readers to actively participate in discussions, we reserve the right to delete / modify any content that does not comply with our Code of Conduct, or do not meet the high editorial standards of the published material.